The Cherries had a dream start to their last league game against Tottenham. Matt Ritchie scored the opening goal 49 seconds into the match – the fastest goal of The Premier League this season. But a couple of minutes after, Tottenham equalized. Harry Kane scored from the penalty spot. Then the scenario from Bournemouth’s visit to Man City repeated and The Cherries lost 1-5. 10 goals conceded in two games and Eddie Howe can consider serious changes to his starting eleven.

The man in top form for Southampton is Sadio Mane, who has scored 5 goals in the team’s last 5 competitive matches. The Senegalese scored a late equalizer against Liverpool last weekend and secured the point for his team. Furthermore, Southampton haven’t lost a Premier League match since 20th September when The Saints lost 2-3 to Manchester United at home.

The expectations for the game are an easy victory for the home team, but we all remember how Bournemouth beat West Ham at The Boleyn Ground 3-4. But things are now different because their top goal-scorer, Wilson, has a long-term injury and can’t help his teammates.

Team News

Jay Rodriguez has recently received an ankle injury and can’t be included in the squad by Ronald Koeman.

Romanian defender, Florin Gardos, still hasn’t recovered from his knee injury. He is expected to be back on the pitch in February.

Bournemouth’s attacker, Lee Tomlin, is ill and surely won’t be ready to play. Elphick, Gradel, Wilson and Mings for The Cherries are long-term injured.

Adam Federici is expected to replace the Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc, who made several errors against Tottenham last weekend which cost his team the point.

Quotes of the week

Ronald Koeman (Southampton) :“Some players deserve to play and this is the opportunity for them to show they count in our squad.”

Eddie Howe (Bournemouth) :“Artur is very strong mentally and is resolute when it comes to goalkeeping errors.”

Both teams have met 4 times in the past five years. Southampton have won all these matches, having scored 8 and conceding just 1 in their net.

Bournemouth have lost 4 of their 5 Premier League away games so far. They have conceded 14 goals and have scored only 7.

The last match between these two teams at St. Mary’s Stadium was in League One 5 years ago and finished with a 2-0 victory for The Saints. Lambert scored twice from the penalty spot and grabbed the points.

Southampton’s home record is two victories, 1 draw and 2 defeats. The last match at St. Mary’s was against Leicester and ended with a 2-2 draw.